New research from WalletHub reveals significant progress in narrowing health gaps between Black and White Americans in several states, with Texas emerging as a standout performer in improving health outcomes for Black residents.
Texas has achieved more than any other state in decreasing the share of Black residents suffering from poor health. The state has reduced the Black-White gap in health insurance coverage by 12.1 percentage points since 1995, representing substantial advancement in healthcare access. Texas has also made significant reductions in the number of Black Texans living with diabetes and obesity, addressing two major chronic health conditions that have historically affected minority communities disproportionately.
Mississippi ranks second overall for racial progress, with notable gains in health insurance coverage and overall health outcomes for Black residents. The state has dramatically reduced its poverty rate disparity by 27 percentage points since 1970, the largest reduction among all states. This economic improvement likely contributed to better health access and outcomes.
Georgia leads the nation overall in closing Black-White disparities over the past five decades, primarily through economic gains. The state reduced the earnings gap by more than 32 percentage points since 1979 and improved high school diploma attainment disparities by over 23 percentage points since 1970.
These improvements demonstrate that sustained policy efforts and economic development can meaningfully reduce longstanding health and socioeconomic disparities affecting Black Americans across employment, education, and healthcare access.
See: “States That Are Making Progress in Reducing Racial Disparities” (January 19, 2026)
